Work holding jig for multiple spindle machines



May 2, 1950 J. L. JONKE 2,506,424

WORK HOLDING JIG FOR MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINES Filed July 1e, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l May 2, 1950 J. l.. JONKE 2,506,424

WORK HOLDING JIG FOR MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINES Filed July 16, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORN EYS Patented May 2, 1950 WORK HOLDING J IG FOR MULTIPLE SPINDLE MACHINES Joseph L. Jonke, Queens Village, N. Y., assignor to Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation, Jamaica, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application July 16, 1945, Serial No. 605,283

s claims. l

This invention relates to machine tools. More particularly it pertains to a type of production tool wherein operations are performed automatically with attendant advantages of higher output of product and longer life of tool cutting edges. By way of illustration the invention will be described as it is embodied in a multiple spindle drill press, where it has particular utility. Other applications of the invention will immediately be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In a conventional multiple spindle drill press a series of vertically arranged spindles are positioned over a horizontal work table. The various spindles are provided with chucks for receiving different sizes and types of drills, reamers, etc. In operating such a machine the operator first locks the work piece in a drill jig and then pushes the drill jig about on the surfaces of the horizontal table beneath the overlying tools. I-Ie positions the drill jig beneath the respective tools one at a time, in a predetermined sequence such as for drilling, boring and reaming, and lowers each tool in turn by means of a handle to perform the specified operations on the piece of work in the drill jig. The result is that in addition to the time consumed in placing the work piece in the drill jig (during which period the various tools of the drill press are idle) the time of the operator is consumed in locating the drill jig successively beneath the desired spindles, one at a time, and in lowering each tool manually to perform the intended operations.

Heretofore it was believed that there was advantage in having tools such as drills and reamers fed by hand for the reason that these tools are relatively fragile andare easily broken. A skillful operator feeding the tool into the work was able to feel, after he had had sufficient practice, the hard spots in the work piece. Accordingly he could proportion the force applied to the tool as dictated by his experience. A good operator thus could get considerably more life from a drill, for example, than could an inexperienced operator because of the manner in which the skilled operator could feel his way along as the tool progressed into the work piece.

I have discovered a combination of a movable Work table with a series of overlying, vertical spindles whereby the machine operator need only position the work piece in :a jig attached to the Work table and then later remove the work piece from the jig after it has been machined. With my arrangement the spindles perform their machining operations while the machine operator is loading and unloading work pieces into and out of a free work holder in front of him. And I have provided a pneumatically operated tool feeding device whereby controlled air pressures are supplied such that the drills, reamers, etc., are properly fed and cannot readily be broken. By supplying optimum air pressures to the respective tool feeding devices I have found that the lives of the tools may be increased to the maximum.

It is an object of my invention to provide a production machine of the character described having to a notable extent the characteristics and advantages hereinbefore set forth. A further object is the provision of a multiple spindle machine tool, which may be inexpensively manufactured, and which is simple in operation and requires little maintenance. Other objects will be in part pointed out as the description proceeds and will in part become apparent therefrom.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, methods of operation, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be set forth in the :accompanying claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing a multiple spindle drill press embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the work-piece holding jigs showing in phantom view the guide leaf in open position; and

Figure 3 is a plan View of the jig in Figure 2 showing in phantom View the leaf lock in open position.

In Figure 1 a pair of spindles are indicated by 20 and 22 vertically arranged over a work table 2t. Table 24 is mounted for clockwise rotation (as viewed from above) about its center point, as will be described more fully hereinafter, and it is equipped with xtures 26 whereby work piece holding jigs may be affixed to the work table. One work piece holding jig 28 is indicated beneath spindle 2i?. In the embodiment illustrated spindle 2G carries a drill 30 and spindle 22 carries a reamer 32. A work piece is loaded into a jig at the free position or loading station and thereafter the table rotates through one third of a revolution to position the work piece beneath spindle 2D. A drilling operation is performed upon the work piece during which time another work piece is inserted into the following jig. Thereafter the table again rotates clockwise through one third of :a revolution positioning the first work piece beneath the reamer and the second work piece beneath the drill. A reaming operation isr performed simultaneously with the drilling operation and meanwhile a third Work piece is positioned in the free work piece holder. The work table rotates clockwise again through one third of a revolution and the second work piece goes to the reaming position and the third work piece goes to the drilling position. The first work piece is back at the loading station and it is removed-from` the Awork piece-holder and a new work piece `is inserted. The various controls whereby these operations are performed will be described hereinafter.

Spindle 20 is driven in a more or less conventional fashion through a belt 'w54 rby-ifneansof a motor 36. Reamer 3G correspondingly 'is'drive'n through a belt 38 by means offa'motoi" G. Spindles 20 and 22 are held intheirrai'sedf positions by the pressure of returnfspring's l(notsl'i'o'v'vnh Spindle 20 is lowered, when adrilling operation is to be performed, by an arm l2 a'gairlst'thepressure of its return spring by means of a pneumatic cylinder and piston assembly 44. Likewise spindleJZZ-is fed downwardly by means of an-'arm -46 operatedbya pneumatic -cylinder and piston assembly48. Arm zis'provided with an adjustable finger vwhich may be raised or lowered in .arm-4 2 by means v of a central'threadedportion A'sensitiv'eylow travel -limit switch 5-2 is located inthe path-of movement of finger 5S so that when arm i12-has moved-spindle'Zll downwardly 'a suicientdistance theend of nngerc comes into operating contact'with switch-52 to interrupt the drilling'operation. :Likewise arm f46 is provided withan adjustment-threaded finger 54 for operating aisecond-sensitive, 'low travel limit switch i'positioned therebelow -to interrupt there'amin'g operation when ythe Arearner has been advanced suinciently 'far rdownwardly Yinto the work piece.

The upper end ofthe motorshaft` of motor 3B carries ahorizontally positioned plate 58. This plate `rotates constantly with the operation of motor 36. 'A running wheel Sil is xedly Aheld againstit-he surface of E'the rotating 'plate 58 and the 'velocity with which `wheel 'es turns maybe controlled by adjusting its radial position upon plate 58. The greater the distance of wheel 5G from the center of rotation of plate 58 the greater thehumb'er -of 'revolutions'per minute turned by wheel 60. "Motor '40 which operates the'reamer is "equipped with identical Vparts which perform lthe same functions: It has apositioned 'plate 'Sil on which 'wheel "92 runs. To'wheel's `(iii and 92 are attached suitably'coritrolled mechanisms (not shown) so -th'atbyadjusting the 'position of the wheels on their respective plates the frequency with which'arms "42 'and 46 are ipermittedto return upwardly toclear vthe Achips may be 'regulated.

Regulator S8 is provided to adjustthe properair pressure 'in cylinder '68. Cylinder-"44 is 'provided with a similar regulator. Thus by'proper adjustment automatic control can be had of the entire drilling and teaming operations. Such automatic 'control is derived from the 'cooperative functioning of "switches 52 -and `56 vof the timing mechanisms attached to wheels '60 and 92, vand of the pressure regulators for cylinders M'and 118. i

The 'detailed'c'onstruction of these parts need not be 'described for purposes of this invention.

In order to rotate table 24 between machining operations I have provided a pneumatica'lly operated findexing construction including `a cylinder 100 of "the double acting type, whereby the piston is positively driven `rstih one direction and then inthe other. Table 2`4 is Vrotated one third 'of a revolution with "each cycle of the piston. The specific mechanisms by Vwhich this is accomplished will not be described as it is to be understood that any suitable means for so accomplishing the result will suffice for the purposes of my invention. Nevertheless, in the embodiment of my machine tool shown in Figure 1, a timing mechanism l 62 is provided which is preferably of thetype shown in the accompanying application of Leonard W. 'Gackt Serial No. 520,575, filed January 31, 1944.

"At a position below table 24 is shown a push button` 552 which causes operation of a complete cycleof the rrz'ichine tool; the various circuits and mechanisms by which this is accomplished "are-not described indetail.

at [66 Vtothe jig' and carries an upwardly projectinglst'ud |58. Leaf |64 is maintained in position by a lock Il!) pivotable about the vertical axis of pin i412 yupon jig 26. *As* shown 'in-Figure1,'leaf t cannot swing 'upwardly about hinge E66 becauseits free end is `coveredby lock HD. 'Lock il@ also has an upwardly-projecting stud indicated at fle. Between theupright standards-of the 'spindles is a xed yoke l'l'carrying a trip pin H8. Pin 1"!8 lies in the normal path of movement of studs rll'l and |'68'in passing from the drilling position to the reaming position. As'stud lill engages pin I18,lock"|'10 is swung about'the axis of pin l|"I2 'to'unc'o'ver theend'of leaf T64. So, 'when Vstud l68enga'ges I'pin |18, the leaf is free to swing upwardly and backwardlyfandthu's thele'af is removed-from the-guiding 'positionit occupied during drilling. AIn this 'fashion I'relieve the machine operator of an operational detail which otherwise he would'berequiredto perform. j l I Figures 2 and 3 v'are 'enlarged views -of workpieceholding jig 28vsh`owingimoreclearlyindetail the interlocking relationship of the leaves. The jig is `provided with clamps lil and |82' for holding the work piece (not shown) securely in place. Clamp '[88 is designed'with vice jaw 'Ifll for this purpose and clamp I8? maybe similarly constructed'if desirable. i

Figure 2` shows b"y broken lines the position of guide leaf I'ill "when it is open for the roaming operation. Bysoli'd'lines the guide lleaf "is Vshov'vn locked underline iniiue'nce of lock ll'l. In the drilling operation -`the bit is lguideclinto the work piece through opening 86. n

Figure 3 illustrates vthe'locked and unlocked positions or iaf 100i; {1u-anic VYformer :beine :Shown by 'solid lines and the' latter by kbok'r'i lines.

To use the equipment thus described, he KAina'- chinist places v'a part to 'be machined in the jig 'which is positioned 'in front of hin n'tabl'e '2?4. VHe then presses button 15in order to -"initiate ja Complete 'cy'eie v"of operante. Through fiile 'vanous electrical and pneumatic V"circi'iits, table f4 is rotated clockwise Aone-third of a 'revolution'. lat `which point'th'e ljig `just loaded is positioned beheath spindle 2li. The 'timing system the'iral'lotk/'s air to be admitted to cylinder '44 V'so that spindle 2l) ifs brought down to 'ri'achine `the work piece. During this 'time the loperlator is loading a second Awork*piece into another jig rmounted on the `fix- :turevbefor'e him. When the drilling -operation'is completed. Ythe end of nfinger 5B actuates switch 542Uto interrupt the drilling operation and to re'- turnrtlie drilltoits ii'pvv'ard positio'n. Now when lthe operatorpre's'ses button l5? Ito initiate a second cycle of operation, the work piece which 'was just drilled will be exposed to reamer 32 as the Jig on which it is mounted is carried clockwise by another one-third revolution of the table. This is accomplished by the action of trip pin |18 against studs |14 and |68 as hereinbefore described. As the cycle continues and as the operator loads the third work piece onto the final fixture which is before him, air which is admitted into cylinder 48 causes spindle 22 to be depressed so as to ream out the hole that was drilled in the rst work piece. The reaming operation is arrested by the end of finger 54 which trips switch 56. Simultaneously with this reaming operation the second work piece is being drilled in the fashion just described. Now when button |52 is pressed to start another cycle of operation the first work piece which was introduced is rotated to a position in front of the operator. It is finally drilled and reamed and is freely open for removal from the clamps of the jig in which it is mounted. The fourth piece to be machined may then be clamped into this jig and positioned under the locked guide by the time the previous cycle of operation is completed. Thus I have provided a sturdy and economical arrangement for performing dual operations with a minimum amount of lost motion on the part of the operator.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a production machine made in accordance with the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and objects hereinbefore set forth and to be economically manufactured, since the whole combination is suited to common engineering methods and is susceptible to a wide latitude of Variations as may be desirable in adapting the invention to different applications.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention Without departing from the scope thereof and as changes may be made in the embodiment set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustratlve and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a machine tool of the type wherein a work-supporting table moves through an endless path with respect to a machining assembly comprising a tool and a tripping mechanism, the combination with such tool of a work piece holding device fixed to the table and adapted to receive and hold a work piece during machining; said device including: a work piece clamp, a stud projecting from said clamp, a clamp lock, and a stud projecting from said lock; said clamp and said lock being relatively movable with respect to each other through intersecting paths, and said studs moving with the movement of the table through its endless path in tripping relationship past the tripping mechanism; said lock stud being disposed in advance of said clamp stud.

2. In a multiple spindle machine tool of the type which includes a movable table upon which Work pieces are fed to a machining assembly comprising a tool and a tripping mechanism, the combination with such tool of a plurality of workpiece holding jigs xed to said table for receiving and holding work pieces during operation, each jig having a guide leaf hinged thereupon and a leaf lock for holding the guide leaf in a fixed position during a machining operation, said guide leaf and said leaf lock each having a stud projecting therefrom, said leaf lock stud being positioned in advance of said guide leaf stud, whereby during a table movement said leaf lock stud comes into engagement with said tripping means to move said leaf lock to one side and thereafter said guide leaf stud comes into engagement with said tripping means to swing back said guide leaf and uncover the work piece.

3. In a multiple spindle machine tool of the type which includes a movable table upon which work pieces are fed to a machining assembly comprising a tool and a tripping mechanism, the combination with such tool of a plurality of workpiece holding jigs fixed to said table for receiving and holding work pieces during operation, each jig having a guide leaf hinged thereupon and a f leaf lock swngable about a pivot point for cover- JOSEPH L. J ONKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 320,536 Bryant June 23, 1885 1,583,946 Walters May 11, 1926 1,723,249 Noble Aug. 6, 1929 1,911,138 Clute et al May 23, 1933 2,389,744 Robbins Nov. 27, 1945 2,394,769 Heckethorn Feb. 12, 1946 2,414,347 Woerner Jan. 14, 1947 2,422,114 Matter June 10, 1947 

